Hale and hearty Stanley J 91

By Harischandra Gunaratna

Former All Ceylon, Leicestershire, NCC, Nomads and Nalanda College cricketer Stanley Jayasinghe on Wednesday celebrated his 91st birthday at a simple ceremony at his Thalapathpitiya residence.

The Nonagenarian, full of vigour with a razor sharp memory shared some of the memorable incidents in the cricketing arena of yesteryear with those who came to wish him and amongst them were many cricket enthusiasts including Jayasinghe’s sister Mrs. Nalini Rattan who had flown all the way from British Columbia.

One of his ardent fans from India, Dr.Uma Bose sang an inspirational and a devotional song for the birthday boy.

Jayasinghe and another All Ceylon cricketer Chandra Schaffter are the oldest living national cricketers with Schaffter being older by a few months.

Schaffter and former Sri Lanka test cap Jayantha Seneviratne were among those who sang happy birthday to the cricketing legend when the birthday cake was cut and the candles were blown out.

It was an evening full of mirth and excitement.